ESRB Ratings Criteria for Non‑Game Apps

The ESRB Rating Guide and all search results on ESRB.org refer to games rated through our traditional rating process.  However, ESRB also assigns ratings to non-game apps on certain mobile and digital storefronts that have licensed the IARC rating system. The following provides insight into some of the criteria ESRB uses to rate non-game apps.

Social Media Apps

Social media apps are generally rated “Teen” with an interactive element for “Users Interact,” so long as the app has community guidelines that prohibit the sharing of graphic violence (outside of a newsworthy context) or nudity. However, if a social media app permits the sharing of graphic violence (outside of a newsworthy context) or nudity, it will receive a “Mature” rating. Social media apps that focus on sharing nudity will receive an “Adults Only” rating. Dating apps are considered a special type of social media app that will receive a “Mature” rating, at a minimum.

Streaming Services or Similar Apps

Streaming apps typically contain a wide variety of content and options for their users, so they generally receive a content descriptor for “Diverse Content: Discretion Advised” and a “Teen” rating. If the app focuses on sexual content or controlled substances, it will receive a “Mature” rating. If pornographic materials can be accessed through the app, it will receive an “Adults Only” rating.

Promotional Apps

Apps that are primarily used to promote a product or service that is targeted towards an older audience (e.g., winning numbers lottery apps, alcohol shop locator apps) will generally receive a rating of “Mature,” even if the app itself does not feature any actual content that would typically warrant a higher rating.

Educational/News Apps

Apps that are primarily for news or educational purposes will generally receive a rating that is lower than apps that feature similar content outside of those contexts.